ATLANTA – All Cooperative Baptist Fellowship representatives to China are safe following a 7.9 magnitude earthquake that has killed more than 12,000 and injured or displaced hundred of thousands.
According to the Associated Press, more than 18,000 people are still buried beneath debris in Mianyang, a city near the quake’s epicenter. Bill and Michelle Cayard, CBF representatives in China, had just started a partnership with a church laity training center in Mianyang and also have connections with pastors in Dujiangyan, another city severely damaged. CBF has given $5,000 toward meeting immediate needs for water, food and tents in Jiangyou, where the city’s only church was destroyed.
"That was the only registered church building in a city of over 100,000," said Michelle Cayard. "The pastor there urgently requested tents as people are sleeping outside without shelter and it has been raining now for almost 24 hours."
"Though this is a small effort, it encourages those facing such a difficult time and provides a witness to the community," Cayard said. "After immediate needs are met, we will work with local partners to identify longer term needs."
Churches or individuals wishing to respond can make financial contributions through CBF with 100 percent of donations going directly to response efforts.
In nearby Myanmar, the Fellowship sent $5,000 in an initial response to the May 3 cyclone that has killed thousands and left even more homeless. One of CBF’s field personnel serving in nearby Thailand is scheduled to travel to Myanmar this week to assess the situation and meet with local Baptist partners.
There are more than 1 million Baptists in Myanmar, primarily in the southern region that was hardest hit. Local Christians report thousands of houses and nearly 200 churches were damaged or destroyed. The Myanmar Baptist Convention has requested $2.25 million for distribution of supplies including rice, blankets, mosquito nets and medicine.
CBF will partner with Baptist World Aid, Asia Pacific Baptist Federation, International Ministries of American Baptist Churches USA, Virginia Baptist Mission Board and others to assist. Because Myanmar has issued limited visas to relief workers, there are currently no opportunities to serve in Myanmar.
In southern Chile, where volcanic activity has forced thousands to evacuate, the Fellowship contributed $5,000 to be used by area Baptist churches helping evacuees with food, clothing and spiritual support.
Financial contributions can be made to the Fellowship to support disaster relief efforts in Myanmar, China and Chile. Give online at www.thefellowship.info/give or by mail at P.O. Box 101699, Atlanta, GA 30392. Make checks payable to CBF and "Cyclone Response #17023," "China #17024" or "Chile #17000" in the memo line. One hundred percent of donations go directly to rebuilding and restoration efforts.
CBF is a fellowship of Baptist Christians and churches who share a passion for the Great Commission and a commitment to Baptist principles of faith and practice. The Fellowship’s mission is to serve Christians and churches as they discover and fulfill their God-given mission.